Games-Andrade and MacNeil take Pan Am Games spotlight

SANTIAGO : Two of the biggest names at the Pan American Games, Brazilian gymnast Rebeca Andrade and Canadian swimmer Maggie MacNeil, seized the spotlight with golden wins on Tuesday while the United States blasted past 100 total medals.

With marquee names in short supply, Olympic champions MacNeil and Andrade commanded the Pan Am stage, the Canadian tying American Gabi Albiero for first in women's 50 metre freestyle while Andrade soared to the top of the podium in the vault.

Simone Biles aside, Andrade might just be the most intriguing athlete competing in her sport in Santiago.

At the Tokyo Olympics, Andrade confirmed her status as one of her sport's more charismatic figures when she placed second in the all-around, then added gold in the vault.

The 24-year-old also has a drawer full of world championship medals including the 2022 all-around title and beat Biles into second in the vault at the recent worlds in Antwerp.

Biles may be recognised as the greatest gymnast of all-time but Andrade is the queen of the vault, holding the Olympic, world championship and now Pan Am Games crowns on the apparatus.

It was another dominating high-flying display from Andrade, who posted a winning score of 14.983 to finish almost a full point clear of the United States' Jordan Chiles on 14.150.

Andrade closed out the evening with a second place finish in the uneven bars behind American Zoe Miller to give her a gold and two silvers in her first Pan Am Games with a chance to add to her total on Wednesday when she competes on the balance beam.

MacNeil's fourth win in Santiago tied the record for most gold by a Canadian swimmer at a Pan Am Games while her six total medals (four gold, a silver and bronze) also equalled a single Games national mark.